“Why History?”

I believe that history provides us with topography for moral contemplation. In studying the stories of individuals and situations in the past allows us to test those individuals from the past moral sense and to grasp the real complexities they faced in difficult settings since humanities existence. For me, history is indispensable to understanding why the historical perspective changes occur. In many ways, historical analysis is a more challenging kind of exploration than genetic experimentation.

In my assessment history provides us with extensive materials available to study the human condition and highlights the complex processes of social change, including the factors that are causing change around us today. These are the reasons why I’ve been enthralled with the examination of the past and why our society should require and encourage the study of history as a major subject in schools across the Republic and throughout the world. When history is accurate and explained effectively it plays like a well orchestrated symphony.

I believe that history also helps provide identity, and this is unquestionably one of the reasons why all modern nations should encourage its teaching. Historical data include evidence about how families, groups, institutions and whole countries were formed and about how they have evolved while retaining cohesion. For many of us, studying the history of one's own family is the most obvious use of history, for it provides facts about genealogy and a basis for understanding how the family has interacted with larger historical change.

Many institutions, businesses, communities, and social units, such as ethnic groups in the United States, use history for similar identity purposes. Merely defining the group in the present pales against the possibility of forming an identity based on a rich past. Alas, people also use history for distorted purposes. Histories must be protected to ensure accuracy that tell the national story, emphasizing distinctive features of the national experience, meant to reinforce an understanding of national values and a commitment to national loyalty.

History provides data about the emergence of national institutions, social justice, injustices, equality and inequality, and values--it's the only significant temple of such available data. History offers evidence also about how nations have interacted with other societies, providing international and comparative perspectives essential for responsible citizenship. Further, history helps us understand how recent, current, and prospective changes that affect the lives of citizens are emerging or may emerge and what causes are involved. More important, history encourages habits of mind that are vital for responsible public behavior, whether as a national or community leader, an informed voter, a petitioner, or a simple observer.


“Progressive will bring balance to the Republic”
Anthony P. Johnson